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I encountered a married couple, a gentleman from Laos and a lady from Cambodia, living in my neighborhood. I chatted once with the gentleman and found he was bright, educated and knowledgeable with a keen perception of religions and world affairs.

I found relevant religious features in Laos.

• The government of Laos officially recognizes four religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and the Baha’i Faith. 
• About 64.7% of the population of Laos practices Theravada Buddhism, making it the most common religion in the country.
• The remainder of the population identify with Christianism (1.7%); Islam, the Baha’i Faith, Confucianism, Taoism, and folk religion (2.1%); and 31.4% identify as having no religion.
• Christians in Laos are strictly monitored, and frequent reports indicate fierce persecution, particularly in rural communities. 
• Though Islam is recognized as an official religion, Laos has one of the smallest populations of Muslims in southeast Asia, numbering less than 800.

I am a Portuguese American practicing Roman Catholicism, my two best friends are a Jew and a Moroccan, and no religious enmity exists between us. Christians in Laos are strictly monitored, and frequent reports indicate fierce persecution, particularly in rural communities. 

Note: Christ will cleanse the Earth soon.

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